Former Fianna Fáil minister Gerry Collins dies aged 88

Former Fianna Fáil cabinet minister Gerard Collins, also known as Gerry Collins, has died at the age of 88, independent.ie, thejournal.ie and RTÉ reported. Thejournal.ie reported that Collins, who came from Abbeyfeale, passed away peacefully after a short illness at Tralee Hospice in County Kerry. [1][2][3][4][5]

Collins served as a Teachta Dála for Limerick West across 10 successive Dáils from 1967 to 1997, according to thejournal.ie and RTÉ. During his parliamentary career, he held several cabinet posts. Thejournal.ie and RTÉ reported that he served as Minister for Posts and Telegraphs from 1970 to 1973, Minister for Justice from 1977 to 1981 and 1987 to 1989, and Minister for Foreign Affairs in 1982 and from 1989 to 1992. [1][2][3]

Thejournal.ie reported that Collins was a second-generation member of a political dynasty that has represented West Limerick since 1948. Following his time in national politics, he served as a member of the European Parliament for the Munster constituency from 1994 to 2004, where he was elected a Vice President of the Parliament in Strasbourg. [2]

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said in a statement that he was deeply saddened to learn of Collins' death, calling him a good friend and a politician of great substance and ability, RTÉ reported. Fianna Fáil is a centre to centre-right political party in Ireland. [3][6]